I am someone who usually forgets something especially when those things are not important or prioritised but in the same way I have few experiences where I forgot something important, something that would affect me and I’d regret a lot.
The latest one I seem to recall which was early last year was when I forgot the time of my examination. It was strangely funny to me because I still didn’t understand why I would forget something so important. That would cost me a lot, and I might regret for the rest of my life.
The thing is, it could have led to a carryover, an extra course (burden) for the next level, it would affect my GP. More importantly, prevent me from transitioning to medical school, that would turn my whole career upside down and I might probably regret it for the rest of my life.
It was my Biochemistry examination, an afternoon exam, to be precise. I was aware I had exam that day but I forgot the time, I checked in the morning it was by 1pm.. somehow in the afternoon I forgot and just assumed it was 2pm.
I am that kind of person who tend to come right on time or a bit late to school, rarely early but that day I didn’t have anything to do, I had prepared for the exam (to some extent) and I didn’t feel like reading anymore, I decided to reach school early so I can brainstorm with some friends for a few minutes before exam start.
I took my time to dress and get ready for school, I was done just after 1 pm, I was happy with myself even imagining how my friends will tease me about being early. I live a little bit far from my uni, it takes me about 30min or more depending on how fast I walk to the bus-stop and get a bus.
I was on my way to the bus-stop when I saw a message from our HOC, I can’t vividly remember the message but it was something like “The exam will need a pencil, if you don’t have one. Please, Go and buy one as fast as possible”. I scoffed because I didn’t understand what the haste was about.
At that moment I checked the time of the examination and alas, it was 1pm on the timetable. It was already 1:30-ish and I was still comfortably ambling, immediately I saw the time I sprinted to the bus stop, boarded a bus (which didn’t come immediately) and ran with all I had to the exam hall.
Our biochemistry department and lecturer is known for its discipline and strictness. I was praying so earnestly that I would be given a chance to enter. Around 1:45 pm I got to the hall and I thanked God they hadn’t started, they had an issue that caused a delay I think the exam paper wasn’t equivalent with those that registered or something like that.
I was already sweating and out of breath, my HOC had no exam paper left with her, she collected for another department for me. And almost immediately, we started the exam. I was thanking God, for giving me a chance and just for allowing me to leave my house earlier. Normally, I would have gotten to school around 2:00 or 2:05 pm.
Throughout the day I was very grateful. It was a great day for me to be honest, I couldn’t imagine not writing the exam. If they had started the exam exactly 1:00pm, there was a 90% chance that I would not be allowed to write it and it could ruin my whole course of study.
Even though I was happy and grateful, I scolded myself for not planning myself well and not being mindful. I didn’t think I would get an A’ in the course because I was already out of breath and quite disoriented when I started the exam.
But this was a lesson for me. Now, I usually cross check the time or even set timer for any exam or test I have, also, I try to leave house earlier. I sincerely hope I do not experience something like that again.
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𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆...
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